The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has strengthened collaboration with media organisations to counter misinformation and ensure credible conduct of the 2026 FCT Area Council elections.
The engagement took place at the INEC Forum for Media Executives, Producers, Reporters and On-Air Personalities held in Abuja.
Speaking at the forum, the FCT Resident Electoral Commissioner, Malam Aminu Kasimu Idris, said elections are now contested not only at polling units but also in the information space.
He warned that fake news, manipulated videos and unverified reports can undermine public trust and increase tensions.
According to Idris, the forum was organised to align expectations, strengthen cooperation and reinforce professional standards in election reporting, particularly in the digital era.
Meanwhile, the REC disclosed that ward-level Permanent Voter Card collection was conducted from January 22 to January 26, 2026.
To further enhance preparedness, INEC will conduct a mock voter accreditation exercise in 289 polling units. Posters will be displayed in affected locations to guide voters, while the exercise will test election technologies ahead of the polls.
In his opening remarks, National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Malam Mohammed Kudu Haruna, revealed that the Commission has acquired most non-sensitive materials already sorted across the six Area Councils, 62 wards and 2,822 polling units.
He added that sensitive materials such as ballot papers and result sheets are expected from the Central Bank of Nigeria, FCT Branch, on February 18, in the presence of party agents, security agencies, civil society groups and the media.
On accreditation, Haruna announced that while the observers’ portal has closed, processing of field officers’ data is ongoing. However, he said the media accreditation portal remains open until February 8.
Delivering a goodwill message, NUJ FCT Chairman, Mrs Grace Ike, urged journalists to prioritise accuracy and fairness, also warned against hate speech and political manipulation, while also calling for the protection and safety of reporters covering the elections.
Similarly, NIPR Vice President, Prof Emmanuel Dandaura, described the forum as a strategic step toward protecting democracy.
In a separate presentation, the Chairman’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Adebayo Oketola, warned that modern election threats now include fake result sheets, edited videos and coordinated online disinformation campaigns.
Also speaking, INEC FCT Head of ICT and Voter Registry, Mr Festus Aisen, highlighted the role of BVAS and IREV in enhancing transparency and preventing multiple voting.
On the legal framework, INEC FCT Head of Legal Services, Mrs Rosemary Elachi, stressed the importance of understanding the Electoral Act 2022 and INEC guidelines for responsible election reporting.
